Processes
Manufacturing processes in the rubber & plastics industry
Using the right manufacturing processes in the right way is crucial for consistent quality and optimal sealing. Here you will find an overview of our standard manufacturing processes and the right method for your requirements.
Punching process
Punching: high quantities and short delivery times
Punching is one of the most widely used manufacturing techniques in the rubber and plastics industry. The sheet material is brought into the required shape by a punching die to produce parts to your specifications and drawings. The advantages are high production speeds and cost-efficient manufacture of large quantities, for example using multi-cavity tools.
Applications
- Flat seals
- Enclosure seals
- Terminal box seals
- Flange seals
- Plug seals
- Hydraulic seals
- Sealing washers
- Sealing rings
- Diaphragms
Materials
- Elastomers in various grades and thicknesses
- Sponge rubber, cellular rubber, silicone foam
- PE foam
- Various plastics
Advantage
For simple geometries, low-cost steel rule dies are used to keep tooling costs to a minimum while still achieving a high output.
Punching makes it possible to produce complex and varied parts and shapes individually in small and large quantities. With various punching machines and suitably designed tools, we ensure the customary tolerances according to DIN ISO 2768-1 or DIN ISO 7715 Part 5 and process different materials efficiently and with minimal waste. Whether electrical industry, automotive industry, mechanical engineering, gearbox manufacturing, pneumatics and hydraulics or consumer goods, punching is fast and cost-efficient for flat seals of all kinds.
Extrusion process
Extrusion: flexibility and consistent dimensional accuracy
Extrusion is particularly suitable for producing profiles, hoses, hose rings and round cords from all common elastomers. In an extruder, a screw conveys the material through a shaping disc, the die, to give profiles and hoses the required shape or diameter. Extrusion offers versatile geometries, diameters and designs, supplied by the metre in bundles or wound on reels, or cut to hose sections or hose rings to your specifications.
Applications
- Hoses
- Hose rings
- Profiles
- Round cords
Materials
- Elastomers in various grades
- With standards and approvals on request
- Silicone and silicone foam
- FKM
- TPE
Advantage
Consistent dimensional accuracy and flexibility in profile design, with no concave edges as when punching thicker sealing rings and hose rings.
Extrusion is particularly advantageous for long, uniformly shaped hoses, profiles and round cords that are cut to size or supplied in bundles or on reels. Its flexibility allows a wide range of profiles for different applications, for example in window and door construction, the automotive industry, transport or hoses. By precisely setting the extrusion parameters on the extruder, we maintain the usual tolerances according to DIN 3302-1.
Compression and injection moulding
Compression and injection moulding: versatility and precision
Compression and injection moulding is a proven process for rubber and plastic parts with complex geometries and undercuts, produced by heating, pressing or injecting through runners into a mould. It is used when parts need shapes, geometries and undercuts that cannot be produced in this way by punching or extrusion.
Applications
- Moulded parts
- Grommets
- Buffers
- Brake and pedal pads
- O-rings
- X-rings
- V-rings
- Shaft seals
- U-cup seals
- Cable bushings
- Sealing inserts
- Multiple sealing inserts
Materials
- Elastomers and plastics in various grades and colours
- Optionally with standards and approvals
- TPE in RAL colours, e.g. Santoprene
Advantage
Versatility and the ability to produce complex parts as well.
In compression or injection moulding, the unvulcanised material is placed in a heated mould, pressed or injected through runners, where it is vulcanised and takes on its final shape in the cavities. The process is particularly suitable for parts with complex shapes, such as moulded articles for mechanical engineering or technical components for the automotive industry. By adjusting the heating parameters and cycle times, we produce dimensionally stable moulded parts to the applicable DIN tolerances, generally according to DIN 3302-1 or to your own specifications. The processes in detail: compression moulding (CM, press moulding), transfer moulding (TM) and injection moulding (IM, injection through runners).
Why SIEGEL
All manufacturing processes from a single source
At SIEGEL Dichtungen we offer not only a wide range of manufacturing processes but also extensive expertise and experience in rubber and plastics processing. Our manufacturing technologies and quality controls guarantee products that meet the required standards and applicable DIN tolerances and are tailored precisely to your needs and mating components.
Whether punched parts, extruded profiles and hoses, hose rings or moulded articles, we support you with specialist knowledge, tailored solutions and long-standing partners in tool and mould making. On request, we can also offer automatic, camera-controlled 100 % inspection.
Working together
Which manufacturing process suits your component?
Tell us the geometry, material, standard and quantity. We will recommend the right process and the right design.